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September is fast approaching — which means it will soon be time for school (again). But in addition to dusting off the old backpack and putting new batteries in the graphing calculator, there are other ways to prepare for the semester. For instance, you may want to check-out a classic college movie. The question is which one?

What is the greatest college movie of all time? Below is a list of ten contenders (and perhaps a few pretenders) gleaned from similar lists floating around the internet. Look for your favorite — or one you haven’t seen yet — and then snag it next time you’re at the video store. After all, a college movie is a lot like college itself — it’s much better the second time around …

Here they are, in no particular order.


Animal House (1978). Starring John Belushi. Frat wars, toga parties, and John Belushi dressed like a pirate — what’s not to like? As Roger Ebert put it, “The movie is vulgar, raunchy, ribald, and occasionally scatological. It is also the funniest comedy since Mel Brooks made The Producers.” Animal House did for college movies what Star Wars did for science fiction — it took a loose affiliation and turned it into a genre.

With Honors (1994). Starring Joe Pesci and Brendan Fraser. One of the few “serious” films in this genre — that is, if any Brendan Fraser film can be considered truly serious. The story focuses on an apprehensive student named Monty who accidentally loses the one and only copy of his thesis to a bum named Simon. In exchange for his thesis, Monty must provide room and board to Simon — who also ends up teaching Monty lessons about life not covered in the college curriculum.

Old School (2003). Starring Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn. A story of three middle-aged men trying to recoup their former glory by moving onto a college campus and forming their own fraternity. Acclaimed as our generation’s Animal House, Old School is has “a few more backaches, a lot more wrinkles, and plenty more morals hanging over the characters’ heads.” (Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com)

Good Will Hunting (1997). Starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck. Once heralded as the “Rocky of the 90s,” the story of a boy-genius-makes-good hasn’t aged quite as well as its male leads. Still, Good Will Hunting has undeniable heart and several memorable lines. As Phil Villarreal of the Arizona Daily Star once put it, “the film succeeds not because of an overall arc, but as a chain of small moments that glimmer in their minuscule perfection.”

Back to School (1986). Starring Rodney Dangerfield. When his son expresses concern about going to college, millionaire businessman Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) decides to enroll in college himself. Though the gags are familiar and formulaic, Dangerfield gives what most critics consider his finest performance in a feature film — and yes, they do mean that as a compliment.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984). Starring Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards. The original movie poster said it all — “They’ve been laughed at, picked on, and put down. But now it’s time for the odd to get even.” It’s the story a group of lovable nerds at a fictional college waging war against their age-old nemesis — the jocks. Although a precursor to such films as American Pie and Van Wilder, “when compared to most of today’s gross-out extravaganzas … this exceedingly upbeat saga seems almost wholesome.” (James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette)

Rudy (1993). Starring Sean Astin. A classic “unlikely hero” story of an undersized boy who always dreamed of playing football at the University of Notre Dame. Whatever Rudy lacks in size, skills, and brains, he makes up for in sheer determination until he finally realizes his dream. The same thing might be said of the film itself. Though slightly manipulative at times, Rudy is arguably the best of several similar sports-themed college movies, which includes such films as The Program and Blue Chips.

PCU (1994). Starring Jeremy Piven. What happens when a high school senior on a recruiting trip accidentally finds himself in the most notorious fraternity house on campus paired with a seventh-year student and consummate party animal? Answer: PCU — short for “Politically Correct University,” which tells you all you need to know about the nature and aim of this intentionally offensive comedy.

Mona Lisa Smile (2003). Starring Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles, Kirsten Dunst, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. In essence, Mona Lisa Smile is a skillful reworking of Dead Poet’s Society, only instead of a free-thinking English professor challenging conservative mores at a boy’s preparatory school, we have a free-thinking art history professor challenging conservative mores at a girl’s college. Still, the formula works.

The Skulls (2000). Starring Joshua Jackson and Paul Walker. The Skulls is the story of a student who joins a secret society in hopes of getting into Harvard Law School. Soon, however, he becomes suspicious about the true nature of the organization and its mysterious role in his best friend’s supposed suicide. The only suspense/action film on the list, The Skulls is notable not for being a piece of groundbreaking cinema per se, but for being refreshingly different than the typical college film.

What’s your favorite college movie of all time?




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Benjamin Welch has been a college instructor in writing and composition for nearly six years. When he’s not teaching or playing golf, he offers advice for students seeking information about online education and online degrees.

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